Minister for Roads and Highways Kwame Governs Agbodza has challenged road contractors to deliver high-quality roads capable of withstanding heavy rains, saying recent downpours have exposed poor workmanship on some road projects across the country.
According to the minister, the recent rains have washed away sections of some roads, raising concerns about the quality of construction and the need for greater adherence to engineering standards.
Speaking during an inspection of the Atimpoku-Asikuma Junction Road project, Mr. Agbodza said successful road construction is not determined by the number of heavy-duty equipment deployed to a site but by the technical expertise and quality of work delivered.
“It is not merely about how many tipper trucks and graders you have. It is about having the know-how to know what to do. If you come and park a lot of equipment and you don’t back it with the competent engineers and other things, the work will not be done,” he said.
He urged contractors to construct wider drainage systems and ensure their projects are executed to standards that can withstand heavy rainfall and minimize flood-related damage.
“The rains this year have exposed the way we used to do things in the past. It is an opportunity for us at this stage of the Big Push to make sure that we do the best quality of work. So we make sure the sizing of the drains and everything is up to standards and will not be washed off by normal rains,” Agbodza added.
The minister’s comments come amid growing public concern over the condition of roads in parts of the country following recent flooding, with many residents calling for durable road infrastructure.
Mr. Agbodza also directed the contractor working on the Atimpoku–Asikuma Junction Road project, which is more than 30 percent complete, to work closely with the ECG and the Ghana Water Limited to relocate utility installations from the project’s right of way to avoid delays.
He further appealed to residents along the project corridor to cooperate with the contractor to facilitate the timely completion of the road, which is expected to be ready early next year.
